Bulldogs to host playoff game on Tuesday

Otter Tail Central stole the lead late in the game in a 14-13 victory over Frazee on Monday. OTC was down 13-12 in the top of the eighth inning when Kale Misegades singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.

Misegades collected 4 hits in 4 at bats to help lead OTC  to victory. Misegades singled in the third, singled in the fifth, doubled in the seventh and singled in the eighth inning.

OTC took an early lead in the second inning when Lane Dilly drew a walk, scoring one run.

OTC notched 7 runs in the fifth inning. The rally was led by singles by Jayden Harig and Hunter Haugen, a walk by Owen Harig, a triple by Harig, a sacrifice fly by Dilly and a double by Noah Link.

Dilly earned the victory on the mound as he gave up 1 run on 2 hits over 2 innings, striking out 2 and walking none. Link threw 4 2/3 innings in relief out of the bullpen.

The Bulldogs collected 10 hits on the day. Misegades and Harig each had multiple hits for OTC. Misegades led OTC with 4 hits in 4 at bats.

“A lot of good things were happening, sure we had one bad inning but Tyson buckled down and didnt let that stop him, we all rallied along with him being led by Kale Misegades going 4-4,” said captain Jayden Harig. “It was a fun game for us and I’m very proud of the way we kept fighting even though the odds were not in our favor for most the game.”

Tuesday

Hunter Haugen collected 4 hits in 4 at bats, as OTC defeated Barnesville 8-3 on Tuesday. Haugen singled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fifth and singled in the seventh inning as he collected 3 RBIs and player of the game.  

“I was seeing the ball well and put some good swings on the ball, I was feeling pretty good,” said Haugen. 

OTC earned the victory despite allowing Barnesville to score 3 runs in the sixth inning. Barnesville offense in the inning was led by Asher O’Brien and Jay Tschumperlin, who all drove in runs.

OTC opened up scoring in the first inning when Tyson Misegades led the inning off with a solid single. Pausch then singled to move Haugen to third base. Lane Dilly then got on base via an RBI single and Jayden Harig then also earned an RBI single. 

“We are pretty tough when our leadoff batters get on base, we tend to make a lot of things work when that happens,” said assistant coach Dakota Aeling.  

Dilly led the OTC to victory on the hill as he threw a complete 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs, while striking out 3 and walking none.

OTC saw the ball well today, racking up 18 hits in the game. Haugen, Gavin Pausch, Owen Harig, Tyson Misegades, Noah Link and Jayden Harig each collected multiple hits for OTC. Haugen led OTC with 4 hits in 4 at bats.

With that victory, OTC will be hosting their first playoff game on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. at Tony Kawlewski Field in Henning.  

“I believe this is only the second time ever that OTC baseball has hosted a section playoff game. The last time was 2015,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “This is the second most winningest team that OTC has ever had at 16 wins. The 2015 team had 18, we would love to achieve that great milestone. We are having a great year, but feel like there is so much more that we want to achieve!”

As it sits at the time of press, the Bulldogs may face off with Fergus Falls for that first playoff game as the Bulldogs are the second seed and Fergus Falls the seventh seed.  

“Fergus Falls is probably the best 7 seed you could find.  They play in the tough Central Lakes Conference so their seeding really does not show what time of team they really are, but we know that and we will be prepared. We are playing some of our best baseball at the right time,” said Hendrickson.

Thursday

OTC move to 17-3 as they defeated Brandon/Evansville 11-0 on Thursday as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Owen Harig struck out Dezmond White to finish off the game.

The Bulldogs notched 5 runs in the fifth inning. The rally was led by a single by Hunter Haugen, by Kale Misegades and an error on a ball put in play by Jayden Harig.

Gavin Pausch was credited with the victory for OTC as he surrendered no runs on 4 hits over 4 innings, striking out 2 and walking one. Harig threw 1 inning in relief out of the bullpen.

OTC racked up eight hits on the day. Tyson Misegades, Misegades and Pausch each managed multiple hits for OTC. Pausch, Misegades, and Misegades each collected 2 hits to lead OTC. 

“This is the perfect time to be playing some of our best baseball. Let’s keep this rolling through playoffs,” said Noah Link.